Numbering machine



Oct. 28, 1930. E. L. MUELLER 1,779,441

NUMBERING MACHINE Filed April 2l, 1925 l ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1930 EMIL r.. MUELLER, or

PATENT oFFllcE RUTHERFORD, NEWJEBSEY, ASSIGNOR'OF ONE-HALF TOYDAVID .A1VICINTYRE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY NUMBERING ivrAcHrNE Application filed April 21, 1925.` Serial No. 24,728.

vrIhis invention relates to a numbering machine, and particularly to a machine which is adapted for the printing of page numbers and the like for books and pamphlets.

An object of the inventionV is to provide a simple form of numbering machine by means of which the sheets of paper which are to form the pages of the book or pamphlet may be printed with'correct` numbers thereon either directly as they come-from the main printing press or subsequently as 4may be desired.

\ In the making up of books it is customary to form the same of a plurality of separate sections eachsection consisting of two or more separate-sheets of paper folded midway so that each sheetprovides two' leaves and four pages and so that in each section these sheets will be connected together to form a section or signature, of suitable thickness for handling and binding. `In order to properly lnumber the pages so that they will read consecutively Y through the several sections ofthe book it is apparent lthat'numbers placed on the sucr ceeding sheets as they issue from the main printing press, or otherwise, `will not be in numerical sequence, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a numbering machine which will be readily adapted to the printingof correct numbers in appropriate sequence so that when the sections, or signatures, are made up and bound linto a book the numbers will appear in proper numerical sequence in the completed book.

In certain forms ofy books,isuch as in record books of different types, it is desirable that each two adjacent pages` through-cut the book be numbered with identical numbers so that the two pages appearing for inspection whenever the book is laid open will have the same number, and it is therefore a *further object of the present vinvention to provide means for so numbering the sheets that when they are bound into sections., 'or signatures,

- and the sections, or signatures, are placed side by side in the book lthe pages appearing for inspection as indicated'will bear? like numbers. V- l Other objects and aimsf the invention,

moreor less yspecilic than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following -description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles constituting the invention, and the scope of protection contemplatedwill be indicated in the appended claims.

In the'accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification,

and' in which I have shown merely a prey ferred form of embodiment of the invention zv Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical side elevational view of a portion of a numbering machine embodying this invention.

Fig.V 2 is a top plan View, partly in section, of the structure appearing in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a lview illustrating two simple book sections such as 'may be numbered by this machine, and

Fig. 4; is a diagrammatic view, similar to that seen in Fig. 1, but on a smaller sca-le, and illustrating an arrangement whereby the four. page numbers usually required upon each sheet of paper in a book may beapplied by the use of only two platen wheels whereas in the arrangement suggested by Fig. l four separate platen wheels are required.

Referring to the drawings for describing in detail the structure illustrated therein the reference character L indicates a type-wheel about theperiphery ofwhich `is a series of spaced projections as 1, 2 and 3 the outer peripheral faces of which are each cut or otherwise formed as printing type each projection beingshaped to provide a dierent figure an d there being as many projections as there are separate sheets of paper to be numbered for comprising the book in course of being printed. Y

Adjacent to the type-wheel is a platen wheel G carrying a single platen member I-I on the periphery thereof which is adapted to press an interposed sheet as i against one of the type-projections on the type-wheel.

Any suitable means may be employed` for holding the'sheet 4 and causing it to be carried around kwith the wheel Gr, there being indicated for this purpose a suitable gripper 5 arranged to engage the forward edge of the sheet as the sheet comes olf of a delivery table 6 and to clamp said edge of the paper against a part 7 of the platen Wheel in a Well understood manner.

The table 6 may be understood to be a part of the main printing press by means of Which the sheet has been previously printed, or otherwise treated, so that it contains all of the reading matter or otherwise preparatory to binding.

The platen member H is preferably ad- `instable circumferentially of the Wheel G and for this purpose the drawing indicates said member as being formed upon a carrying plate 8 Which laps over the side of the Wheel G and which carries retaining devices 9 eX- tending into an undercut groove 10 formed circumferentially ofthe Wheel G. By loosening the devices 9 the platen member may be slid around the Wheel G, the devices 9 meanwhile sliding in the groove 10, to any position desired and may be held in such position by tightening the devices 9. By this means the platen member may be caused to stand nearer to or further from the clamp member 5 and therefore nearer to or further from the forward edfre of the sheet 4 so that the figure from the type-Wheel may be impressed at a selected position upon the sheet.

It will be understood that in order to properly Complete this adjustment the Wheels L and G are at that time freely rotatable relative to each other so that any selected typeprojection on the type-Wheel may be made to register with the platen member.

It is intended that after the sheet, as 4, has passed between the Wheels L and G and has received therefrom the impression of one figure from the type-Wheel it will then pass be* tween tivo further Wheels for receiving` the impression of a second ligure, then between two further Wheels for receiving the impression of another figure, and finally between a fourth pair of wheels to receive the final figure, thus impressing onto the sheet, and in proper locations thereon, the page numbers of the four pages which the sheet is to comprise W ien fixed in place in the boolr.

In the drawing Fig. 1 there is shown in association With the Wheels L and G a portion as 11 of the next pair of Wheels for operating upon the sheet after the sheet has passed between the Wheels L and G. Adjacent to the under side of the Wheel G is a table 12 upon which the sheet 4 will be deposited after leaving the Wheel G. Any suitable means, as for instance the push device 13, may be employed in association with the table 12 to slide the sheet 4 0E of said table and onto the Wheel 11 Where it Will be gripped and carried on its Way.

The sheet will pass similarly through the four sets of Wheels but since each set is of identical construction and operation only one set is herein shown and described in detail.

The Wheels L and G are fixed to suitable carrying shafts 14 and 15 respectively. These shafts are mounted in appropriate bearings 16 and 17 formed in a frame piece 18. Upon the shaft 14 is mounted a gear 19 which is freely rotatable upon said shaft and which stands in constant mesh With a gear 2O fixed upon the shaft 15.

Upon the shaft 14 is a second gear 21 which is fixed to said shaft and which stands in constant mesh With the teeth of a drive pinion 22. The pinion 22' i-s mounted upon a bearing shaft 23 and is connected to be driven by any appropriate means as for instance a drive gear 24.

Mounted upon the shaft 14 is a third gear 25 also standing in constant mesh with the same teeth of the pinion 22 as the gear 21. The gear 25 however, although of the same pitch diameter as the gear 21 has one tooth less than said gear 21 and on this account Will rotate at a slightly faster speed than the gear 21, a complete rotation of the gear 21 being in fact accompanied by a complete rotation of the gear 25 plus the distance of one tooth of the gear 25.

The gear 25 is connected With the gear 19 by a suitable clutch device, as for instance the pin 2G carried by the gear 25 and engaging Within a socket 27 provided in the gear 19, so that said gear 19, and consequently the gear 20, both of which are of the same pitch diameter, Will rotate With the gear 25, as will also the Wheel H. I

The gear 21, being fixed to the shaft 14, will cause the Wheel L to move with it and consequently at a correspondingly slower speed than the Wheel Gr.

There are as many type-projections on the Wheel L as there are teeth in the gear 25. The type-projections are thus spaced apart a dis tance corresponding to the dist-ance between the teeth of the gear 25 and it Will be apparent therefore that each time the platen member H comes around into contact With tle type-Wheel it Will engage a succeeding type-projection of said type-Wheel.

Referring to Fig.` 1 the platen member is shown as in engagement with the type-projection carrying the Figure 1. At the first rotation of the two Wheels the platen member Will come into engagement With the typeprojiection carrying the Figure 2. At the next rotation it Will come into engagement With the type-projeetion carrying the Figure 5. At the next rotation it will come into engagement With the type-projection carrying the Figure 6, and soon.

lllhen the full cycle of the type-projections on the Wheel L has been completed a new cycle Will begin Without interruption, and here it Will be noted that the total number Vof type-projections on the Wheel L is determined by the total number of pages which are to appear in the book being printed. The wheel L Would carry projections for one-fourth of the total number of pages and the corresponding Wheel of the other three sets of Wheels Would each carry another fo-urth.

The figures appearing upon the type-projections of the several Wheels Will of course be Given a sequence according to requirement. Assuming, for example, that the machine is being utilized for printing the four sheets of paper comprising the tWo hook sections illustrated in Fig. 3, andnoting that in these book sections the adjacent pages bear like numbers, the first pair of Wheels, as L and Gr, Will print onto the lirst sheet the page number, or ligure, 1, onto thexsecond sheet the page number 2, onto the third sheet the page number 5, and onto the fourth sheet the page number 6. The second pair of Wheels Would print on the first sheet the page number 4, onto the second sheet the page number 3, onto the third sheet the page number 8,-and onto the fourth sheet the page number 7. The third pair of Wheels Would print onto the first sheet the page number 8, onto the second sheet the page number 2, onto the third sheet the page number 7, and onto the fourth sheet the page number 6. The final pairof Wheels Would print nothing Y on the first sheet, vonto the second sheet it Would print the page number l, onto the third sheet the page number 4, and onto the fourth sheet the page number 5.

As these sheets issue one after the other from the machine and are folded into sections as indicated in Fig. 3 the page numbers Would read in proper sequence as illustrated.

kThe gear Wheels 21, 22 and 25 and the type'- Wheel L constitute a unit, that is to say they are cooperative With each other to properly number the pages of a book having a given number of pages. In order to number the pages of a. book having a different number of pages the parts comprising this unit Would beremoved and substituted by another unit the parts of Which Would be cooperativev in the same manner but there being a different number of type-projections on thel type-Wheel and a correspondingly different number of teeth in the gears. In the instance illustrated the gears 2l and 25 may be readilydetached by removal of the retaining pin 28. The pinion 22 may be removed by'removal of its retaining pin 29, and the type-Wheel may be i removed by removal of its retaining pin 30. Any suitable means, as for instance the ink roll 31 may be providedfor inking the printing surface of the type-projections on the type-Wheel.

While this invention is applicable to the printing of page numbers in various types of books it is nevertheless peculiarly adapted to the numbering of pages in books Where the printed matter on all of the pages is alike, as for instance in certain classes of receipt and record books such as are used may be printed one after the other ready for immediate binding. Any desired number of books may be thus printed and bound Wholly Without reference to hoW many books are required or hoW many have been printed, or otherwise, as has been an' aggravating requirement in the numbering of pages of this class of books heretofore. i

As has been herein-above suggested vthe modification Fig. 4 offers an arrangement Whereby the use of tWo of the platen Wheels required for printing page numbers at the four different localities las described With respect to Fig. 1 may be omitted. Instead of employing four separate units each containing a platen Wheel and a printing Wheel the illustration Fig. `4 proposes only `t-Wo separate units each comprising a platen Wheel as G andtvvov printing Wheels 32 and 33. As the sheet of paper as 4 passes about the first platen Wheel it receives the impression of two page numbers at proper locations thereon from the tWo printing Wheels Iassociated With that platen Wheel, these impressions being of course' both on the same surface of the sheet. Upon leaving the first platen Wheel the sheet is caught by the gripper 5 and carried around the second platen Wheel. In passing around the second platen Wheel it receives the impression of tWo page numbers at proper locations on its opposite surface bymeans of the pair of printing Wheels 32 and 33 associated With the second platen Wheel, after Which it is deposited onto the delivery table 34, from Whence it is removed When a sufficient number of sheets have been deposited thereon toconstitute a signature.

Suitable means Will of course be provided to prevent the different platen members Il on eachv platen Wheel from producing impressions from more than one printing Wheel, as for instance the platen members may be placed slightly out of alignment With respect to each other, as Will likewise the printing Wheels, so that no printing pressure Will be produced excepting againstjthe type of the proper printing Wheel.

It Will be understoodof course that the drive mechanism for the Wheels suggested` by this modification Will be substantially the same as already set forth With regard to the `disclosure `Figs. 1 and 2.

Y As many changes could be made in this construction Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the folloWing claims, it is intended that all matter Acontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A numbering machine comprising a pair of wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, one of said wheels having a series of printing characters spaced apart thereon, the other wheel having a platen member for pressing the sheets against said printing characters, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against diiierent printing characters, a guide member carried by the second wheel to determine the position of the sheet upon the second wheel, and means whereby the platen member is adjustable with respect to the guide member for the purpose set forth.

2. A numbering machine comprising a pair of wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, one of said wheels having a series of printing characters spaced apart thereon, the other wheel having a platen member for pressing the sheets against said printing characters, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against diiierent printing characters, said last mentioned means comprising a single drive gear, a second g ar meshing with the teeth of said drive gear and being connected to in turn drive one of said wheels, and a third gear having a dill'erent number ot teeth as compared with the second gear but meshing with the same teeth oi said first gear and being connected to drive the second wheel.

3. A numbering machine comprising a printing wheel and a platen wheel said wheels having` juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, said Vprinting wheels having a series ot' printing characters spaced apart circumterentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at onepoint in its periphery for pressing the sheets against the printing characters of the. printing wheel, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against successive printing characters ot' the printing wheel., said last mentioned means comprising a drive gear, a second gear meshing with the teeth of the drive gear and being connected to in turn drive the platen wheel, the number of teeth on the second gear beine' the same as the number of printing characters on the wheel, and a third gear meshing with the same teeth of the drive gear and being connected to drive the printing wheel but said third gear having one more tooth than said second gear. i

d. A numbering machine comprising a printing wheel and a platen wheel said wh eels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, said printing wheel having a series of printing characters spaced apart circumferentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at one point in its periphery for pressing the sheets against the printing characters of the printing` wheel, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against sucessive printing characters ot the printing wheel, said last mentioned means comprising a drive gear, a second gear meshing with the teeth of the drive gear and being connected to in turn drive the platen wheel, the number ot teeth on the second gear being the same as the number oi printing characters on the printing wheel, and a third gear meshing with the same teeth of the d ive gear and being connected to drive the printing wheel but said third gear having one more tooth than said second gear, together with means whereby said printing wneel and all of said mentioned gears are detachably connected with the platen wheel for the purpose set forth.

f. A numbering machine comprising a pair of platen wheels, two printing wheels for each platen wheel, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between one ot said platen wheels and its printing wheels for receiving separate impressions on one surface of the sheet from said mentioned printing wheels and to cause said sheets to thereafter pass between the second platen wheel and the second two printing wheels to thereby receive further separate impressions from said last two printing wheels on the opposite surface oli' the sheet, and means whereby succeeding sheets will receive diiierent impr lssions from all oi said wheels.

6. numbering machine comprising a printingwheel and a platen wheel said wheels having Vjuntaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to canse sheets to pass between them one at each coinplete revolution ot said wheels, said printing wheels having a series of printing characters spaced apart circumterentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at one point in its periphery for pressing the sl'iects against the printing characters of the printing wheel, and means whereby theV platen member will press succeeding sheets against successive printing characters of the printing wheel, said last mentioned means comprising a drive gear, a second gear meshtri ing with the teeth of the drive gear and being connected to in turn drive 4the platen wheel, and a thirdV gear meshinov with the same teeth of the drive gear andtbeing'connected to drive the printing wheel but said third gear having-one more tooth than said second gear. j

7 A numbering machine comprising a printing wheel and a platen wheel said wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, said printing wheel having a series of printing characters spaced apart circumferentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at one point in its periphery for pressing the sheets against the printing characters of the printing wheel, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against successive printing characters of the printing wheel, said last'mentioned means coinprising a drive gear, a second gear meshing with the teeth of the drive gear and being connected to in turn drive the platen wheel, and a third gear meshing with the same teeth of the drive gear and being connected to drive the printing wheel but said third gear having one more tooth than said second gear, together with means whereby said printing wheel and all of said mentioned gears are detachably connected with the platen wheel for the purpose set forth.`

8. A. numbering `machine comprising j a printing wheel and a platen Wheel said wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, said printing wheel having a lseries of printing characters spaced apart circumferentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at one point in its periphery for pressing the sheets against the printing characters of the printing wheel,and `means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against successive printing Characters of the printing wheel, said last mentioned means comprising a drive gear, a second gear meshing with the teeth of the drive gear and being connected to in turn drive the platen wheel, .and a third gear meshing with the same teeth of the drive gear and being connected to drive the printing wheel but said third gear having one more tooth than said second gear, together with means whereby said printing wheel and said second gear are detachably connected with the platen wheel for the purpose set forth. U

9. A numbering machine comprising a pair of wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, means to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, one of said wheels having a series of printing press succeedingf sheets against different printing characters, said last mentioned means comprising a single drive gear, a second gearineshing with the teeth of said drive gearjand being connected yto in turn drive one Vof saidwheels,`and a third gear having a dierent number ofteeth as compared with the'second gear but meshing with the same teeth' of said first gear and being connected to drive the second wheel, together with means whereby one of said wheels and all of saivdlgears are detachably connected with vtheofther wheel for the purpose 'set forth.

A numbering machine comprising a pair of wheels having` juxtaposed peripheral cause sheets to pass betweenV them one at each complete revolution of said wheels', one of'said wheels having'a series of printing characters spaced ,apart thereon, the other wheelV having a platen member for pressing u the'sheets againstsaid printing characters, and ,means whereby `the platenmember will press succeeding .sheets against dierent printing characters, said last 'mentioned lmeans ,comprising a'rsingle drive gear, a secondgear meshing-with the teeth of said drive gear and being connected to in turn drive oneiof said wheels", and a third gear having a differentnumber oflt'eeth as compared withV the second gear but lmeshing. withthe same teeth of said lirst gear and being connected to drive the second `wheel,l together with means :whereby one of said wheels and the gear for the other wheel arie detacliably connected with said other wheel for the purpose set forth. y

1l. A numbering machine comprising a printing wheel and a platen wheel said wheels having juxtaposed peripheral portions, Vmeans to rotate said wheels and to cause sheets to pass between them one at each complete revolution of said wheels, Ysaid printing wheels having a series of printing characters spaced apart circumferentially thereof, said platen wheel having a platen member at one point in its periphery7 for pressing the sheets against the printing characters of the printing wheel, and means whereby the platen member will press succeeding sheets against successive printing characters of the printing wheel, said last Vmentioned means comprising adrive gear, a

second gear meshing with the teeth of the drive gear, a shaft upon which said second gear is freely rotatable, a third gear fixed to said platen wheel to rotate the platen wheel, a fourth gear meshing with the third gear being mounted to rotate loosely upon said mentioned shaft, means by which the second and fourth mentioned gears are separately conportions, means to rotatesaid wheels and to r izo lnected together, the printing Wheel being Vconnected with said mentioned shaft, and a fifth gear connect-ed to said mentioned shaft to rotate said shaft and printing Wheel and being in mesh with the same teeth of the drive gear as said second mentioned gear, but said fifth gear having a different number of teeth as compared With the number of teeth of the second mentioned gear.

12. In a page numbering machine, conveying means by Which toconvey a succession of sheets suiicient to constitute a signature, printing means associated with said conveying means operable to print a separate page numeral upon each oi' at least four page forming portions oit each of the successive passing sheets, and means operable upon the printing means tov differ the page numerals printed upon succeeding sheets and to thereby insure a predetermined consecutive relationship of succeeding page numerals in the signature.

13. In a page numbering machine7 conveying means by which to convey a succession of sheets sufficient to constitute a signaturel` printing means associated with said conveying means operable to print page numerals on spaced portions of one face of each of the passing sheets, Vother printing means associated With the conveying means operableto print page numerals on spaced portions of the opposite face of each of the passing sheets, means to receive the printed sheets one after the other preparatory to folding into signature form, and means to insure that the mentioned numerals as they occur in the signature shall be in general numerical sequence with similar page numerals on each two opposing pages said means including mechanism operable upon the printing means to insure the printing of non-consecutive nu- Y merals by the printing means and to -diifer the numerals printed by the printing means upon succeeding sheets.

In testimony whereof l ai'iiX my signature.

EMIL L. MUELLER. 

